Prince George, BC – Award-winning author and former Poet Laureate for the City of Victoria Janet Rogers is the latest Writer in Residence at the University of Northern British Columbia.

Rogers, Mohawk/Tuscarora poet and performer, has authored four collections of poetry, performed on three poetry CDs, and produced two radio documentaries. Both of her documentaries won awards at the imagineNative Film and Media Festival. 

“As a Mohawk writer living on Lekwungen territory (Victoria BC) I am honoured to be a guest on Lheidli T'enneh territory for a four-month term to work, visit and get to know more about the people of the north,” says Rogers. “I am thrilled to have the opportunity, during the residency, to develop a radio theatre piece and present in the surrounding communities. Having been a featuring writer at the Weaving Words Festival for several years, it feels like I'm returning to family where the hosting is always exceptional.”

During her time at UNBC Rogers will hold readings and talks at the UNBC Prince George campus and at regional campuses. She will also be available for consultations with UNBC students, faculty, staff, and community members. In addition, Rogers will devote time to writing her first radio play which will inform the public and celebrate the unique history of Indigenous presence on the airwaves.

“I’m thrilled to welcome accomplished poet and performer Janet Rogers to UNBC,” says UNBC President Dr. Daniel Weeks. “The Writer-in-Residence program provides our students with a chance to interact and learn from leading Canadian authors while at the same time facilitating the creation of new cultural material.”

The Writer in Residence program is funded by the Canada Council for the Arts and the UNBC Office of Research.

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